News

Police to whisk royal doctor to Kate’s side

Media stepladders at the ready outside St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London (Justin Tallis)

THE doctor responsible for delivering the royal baby will be given a police
escort to ensure he gets to hospital as quickly as possible when the Duchess
of Cambridge goes into labour.

Marcus Setchell, the Queen’s surgeon gynaecologist, is on standby as palace
aides wait for the birth. Setchell, 69, reportedly told friends at a cricket
match that he had given up alcohol in the run-up to the birth so he would be
ready to leave for the hospital as soon as he received the palace’s call.

The palace has not given a due date for the royal baby, saying only that the
birth is expected in “mid-July”.